The Importance of Educating Investment Committees
|
Newsletter Sponsor The Fiduciary Rule and Fee Disclosure Keep 401k Fees a Hot Topic With the Department of Labor's Fiduciary Rule and 408(b)(2) requirements creating a focus on fees, the new 401k Averages Book is a must have resource guide. Now you can choose from $10,000, $50,000, and $100,000 Average Account Balances to benchmark your clients and prospects. This easy to use to book provides benchmark fee information on investment, revenue sharing, recordkeeping and total plan costs. The 401k Averages Book is the most recognized source for comparative non-biased 401k information. Click here for more information. In This Issue
Fiduciary and Plan Governance The Importance of Educating Investment Committees Abstract: Plansponsor's National Conference featured a session on investment committee education, the basics surrounding it, and the best resources available to plan sponsors. Two retirement industry professionals reviewed best practices for investment committee members. Source: Plansponsor.com Socially Responsible Investing: What Retirement Plan Sponsors Need to Know Abstract: While investing in companies that are socially and environmentally conscious is not a consideration for all active and passive investment strategies, for those retirement plan sponsors that try to match the moral and ethical expectations of their plan participants, the way in which they approach ESG-focused investment strategies can be a point of confusion. This article looks at the key issue for retirement plan sponsors of how the consideration of ESG factors fits with their fiduciary obligation. Source: Cammackretirement.com Tips for Establishing and Maintaining Plan Documents Abstract: ERISA Section 402 says every employee benefit plan must be established and maintained by a written instrument. Plan sponsors have a fiduciary duty to operate in accordance with that plan document, but an ERISA attorney shares common cases when mistakes are made. Source: Planadviser.com »» Click here for more Fiduciary and Plan Governance Material General Items Abstract: Dennis, who is 77, says she hopes that will be her story. "I am passionate about my work, and for me personally, as long as I have the physical and mental capability to continue, I am going to do it," she says. That's a common attitude among older workers. Some apply their energies to new careers, part-time jobs, or civic pursuits. Others, like Dennis, continue their life's work, full steam ahead. Here are four of their stories. Source: Captrustadvisors.com Why Small Business Owners Don't Offer a 401k, but Why They Should Abstract: An American Express Survey in 2013 said 60% of small business owners were not saving the money they needed for retirement. This means many of their employees are likely not saving enough for retirement either. However, a small business 401k carries with it not only an incredible employee benefit, but also special tax incentives that SMB owners can get from offering retirement plans to their employees. Source: Humaninterest.com Five New Members Appointed to 2018 ERISA Advisory Council Abstract: The DOL announced the appointments of five new members as well as chair and vice chair to the 2018 Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, known as the ERISA Advisory Council. Source: Dol.gov Insight: Studies, Research, and White Papers Retirement Plan Best Practices: Participant Education Abstract: This 17-page white paper examines best practices for a plan sponsor in designing education and engagement programs to improve participants' financial wellness and long-term retirement outcomes. Whether plan sponsors are working alone or with an education provider, the paper offers guidance on how to build and implement a successful program that reaches their employees. Source: Arnerichmassena.com Mutual Fund Expense Ratios in 401k Plans Continued to Decline Abstract: The cost of investing in mutual funds through 401k plans fell again in 2017, according to a research paper released by the Investment Company Institute. The report also shows that participants who invest in mutual funds in their 401k plans tend to hold lower-cost funds. Source: Ici.org »» Click here for More Studies, Research, and White Papers Items of Special Interest to Service Providers Fifth Circuit Officially Vacates Fiduciary Rule Abstract: The Fifth Circuit has issued a long-awaited mandate of its order vacating the Department of Labor's Fiduciary Rule in toto on June 21, 2018. In March, a panel majority of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion finding that the Fiduciary Rule exceeded the DOL's rulemaking authority. Source: Ktserisacorner.com Lessons 401k Advisers Learned From the DOL Fiduciary Rule Saga Abstract: Retirement plan advisers, especially specialists, used to complain that their broker-dealers and the public ignored them, or, worse, didn't realize they existed. All that has changed now that retirement has become a key political issue and retirement advisers have a target on their backs. Source: Investmentnews.com (registration may be required) Target-Date Funds The High Stakes of QDIA Selection Abstract: For plan sponsors, the tremendous growth in assets, changing market conditions and balancing the needs of younger and older participants complicates selection and monitoring of target-date funds. Advisors can help by bringing plan demographics to the discussion and looking at the distribution of ages and account balances of a plan population. Source: Americancenturyblog.com »» Click here for more on Target-Date Funds Compliance and Regulatory ARA Calls for Electronic Delivery Update to 401k Disclosure Default Abstract: The American Retirement Association is calling for a change in retirement plan disclosures that could save American workers millions and enhance their retirement security. Source: 401khelpcenter.com Your Part-Time Employees May Be Eligible for Your Company's 401k Plan Abstract: Although part-time employees are not likely eligible for a company's group health plan because they work fewer than the 25 or 30 hours per week required by most group health plans, these same part-time employees may be eligible to enroll in a company's 401k plan if they work at least 19 hours per week in a 12-month period which equals the 1,000 hours per year maximum service requirement. Source: Masudafunai.com Plan Sponsors Need to Give Special Tax Notice Update for 401ks Abstract: One of the many fiduciary duties of plan sponsors is to provide disclosures to plan participants, including a summary of material modifications, annual reports, and notice of any applicable updates. The Tax Cuts and Job Act went into effect on January 1, 2018. Among the many changes made by the tax plan, the TCJA has changed the time period for making eligible rollover loan offsets for 401ks, which will require a notification for plan participants to understand the changes. Source: Bsllp.com Groom Urges IRS to Expand Determination Letter Program Abstract: As part of its commitment to annually review the scope of the determination letter program, IRS sought comments on the types of plans that should be allowed to request a determination letter as well as specific issues for those plans that would justify the need for review. The Groom Law Group submitted two letters recommending consideration of seven plans as applicants for updated determination letters. Source: Groom.com Abstract: If the test fails there are two options, one of which is to distribute funds to the Highly Compensated Employees. To correct a failed test using the distribution option includes some extra steps that can be very confusing. This article discusses the process required for correcting an ADP test using the corrective distribution option. Source: Benefit-Resources.com »» Click here for more Compliance and Regulatory Material Marketplace News Cetera Launches 401k Practice Development Program Fi360 Acquires CFFM, Maker of FiRMPlus Fintech Firm BidMoni Launches FiduciaryShield Benefit Consultants Group Launches Newest Version of AdvisorEdge »» Click here for More Marketplace News
This eNewsletter is a digest of information published by a variety of web-based sources on 401k and related issues and is published as a service to our users. 401khelpcenter.com, LLC is not the author of the material unless specifically noted. Articles are copyrighted to their publishers. If you believe that your work has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please contact the source site immediately. Hyperlinks in this document are provided as a convenience and we disclaim any responsibility for information, services or products found on websites linked hereto. All links were tested before this eNewsletter was e-mailed to you to ensure that they are still functional, but publishers do move or delete articles. Therefore, we can't guarantee that the links provided will remain operational. 401khelpcenter.com does not endorse, approve, certify, or control this material and does not guarantee or assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, or timeliness of the material. Use of any information obtained from this material is voluntary, and reliance on it should only be undertaken after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, efficacy, and timeliness. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by 401khelpcenter.com. Opinions expressed are those of the author of the article and do not necessarily reflect the positions of 401khelpcenter.com. THIS NEWSLETTER IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE INVESTMENT, TAX, ACCOUNTING, OR LEGAL ADVICE. Copyright © 2018 by 401khelpcenter.com, LLC. All rights reserved. No reproductions without prior authorization, but you are free to email this copy (in its entirety) along to colleagues or clients. This newsletter may not be posted to any website. 401khelpcenter.com, LLC
|
